§ Mr. NEVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been called to the frequency with which trade unions set up the defence that they were illegal associations by reason of their rules being in restraint of trade, when their members sued for payment of the benefits which they had subscribed for or for the recognition of rights of membership which they had contracted for; and whether he would consider the advisability of proposing an, amendment of the law, so as to enable members of a trade union to legally recover the benefits they had paid for without being liable to have their claims defeated on the ground that they had been paying money to an association which, though illegal, could legally take their money, but could not legally be compelled to pay or perform its contracts?
Mr. BUXTONMy attention has been called to the matter by the hon. Member's previous question, as well as by a recent case in the courts, and I shall, of course, be prepared to consider any proposals that may be placed before me.